Process of hardening iron.



UNITED STATES Patented March 7, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

FERDINAND L. RAMON, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALFTO PERCY D. BAILEY, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

PROCESS OF HARDENING IRON SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters PatentNo. 784,124, dated March '7, 1905.

Application filed March 3, 1904. Serial No. 196.414. I

To (til 1071/0727, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FERDINAND L. RAMON,

a citizen of the United States, residing at San Francisco, in the countyof San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Processes of Hardening Iron, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The invention relates to the process of harm dening iron by means of theadmixture therewith of a lighter metal and heating such metals to whiteheat, then adding a non-metallic element, and reducing the whole to themolten state by the application of additional heat, so

5 as to be ready for pouring, and has for its object the production of amixed metal superior to steel as regards weight, strength, toughness,and in other respects, as hereinafter specially mentioned.

My process consists in taking from five to twelve per centum ofaluminium, inclusive, and placing the same in a crucible, thereuponadding iron, such as is now used in the manufacture of steel, to thetotal percentage of 5 one hundred per centum, inclusive, and heating themetals to white heat, and then placing a quantity of sulfur equivalentto one part of the whole in bulk in such crucible, whereupon thecontents thereof are reduced 3 to the molten state by the application ofadditional heat, so as to be ready for pouring for the formation of thefinished product. The said product may be made in an electric furnace orcoke-furnace, if preferred. By

the use of an electric furnace the process will require about oneminute; but by using a cokefurnace the same will require from two tothree hours. The hardness of the product is increased with the use ofadditional parts of aluminium, the use of live per centum there- 4 ofmaking the product as soft as may be desired, while the maximum hardnessof such product is attained by the use of twelve per centum thereof. Thetoughness of the product remains, notwithstanding the use of a less orgreater quantity of aluminium within the limits mentioned. The saidproduct weighs about one-half the weight of an equal quantity of steeland is tougher than the same. It is nonmagnetic and non-corrosive, andthe 5 cost of making the same is abouttwo-thirds the cost of producingsteel. The use of twelve per centum of aluminium in the manufacture ofsaid product will make a mixed metal equal to the best grade of steel. 55

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is--- The herein-described process ofhardening iron which consists in forming an alloy of iron and aluminiumby placing the metals in a cru cible, heating the same to white heat,then placing on the metals a small quantity of sulfur and reducing suchmetals to a molten state by the application of additional heat, so as to5 be ready for pouring for the formation of the finished product,substantially as and for the purposes specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FERDINAND L. RAMON.

Witnesses:

PERCY D. BAILEY, A. COLOMBO.

